I don't see anyone mentioning this event on the forums, so I'll write a report on the fight. Perhaps not many knew because the news were mostly in Chinese. So here it is:

The China-Thailand match for 2010 was held on October 9 in Genting Highlands, Malaysia. This is the 1st time the competition was held in a neutral country (no more excuses!), and there were 7 judges, coming from 4 countries, and 3 organizations, including WBC Muay Thai.

The event consisted of 5 Sino-Thai fights, and 3 superfights. All fights were under K-1 rules except for the 1st Sino-Thai fight, which was under MMA rules. The results are as follows:

What happened is that China initially led the fight by 2-0, but then lost as the MT fighters catched up, eventually getting a 3-2. It seems Muay Thai fighters are still better than their Sanda counterparts overall.

I also heard from someone who actually watched the fight that Yodsanklai completely owned Wang Guan, who was the 71kg national MT champ in China for 2008 and 2009, and the 2009 WKA 70kg champ. But then, he's Yodsanklai!

However, this event may also show that the Thais need to improve their groundfighting, as Somsak got KO'ed by Yang Jianping through GnP in 1:45.

These are my thoughts anyway. What do you guys think?

The Official Site: http://www.legendofhero.com/site/ (it's in Chinese though)

Darren WCK

11/03/2010 2:36am,

Some Chinese news articles on the fight. Enjoy the pics.

http://www.legendofhero.com/site/images/news/news_20.jpg

http://www.legendofhero.com/site/images/news/news_17.jpg

http://www.legendofhero.com/site/images/news/news_16.jpg

http://www.legendofhero.com/site/images/news/news_15.jpg

Odacon

11/03/2010 6:04am,

Some Chinese news articles on the fight. Enjoy the pics.

http://www.legendofhero.com/site/images/news/news_20.jpg

http://www.legendofhero.com/site/images/news/news_17.jpg

http://www.legendofhero.com/site/images/news/news_16.jpg

http://www.legendofhero.com/site/images/news/news_15.jpg

Is that mainstream press?

Darren WCK

11/03/2010 8:04am,

Yup, all of them are. I can't find any English papers reporting it though.

excludedmiddle

11/05/2010 3:05pm,

However, this event may also show that the Thais need to improve their groundfighting, as Somsak got KO'ed by Yang Jianping through GnP in 1:45.

Yeah. Isn't that the only reason we still haven't seen any Thais in MMA?

Darren WCK

11/05/2010 8:59pm,

Yeah. Isn't that the only reason we still haven't seen any Thais in MMA?

True. The Thais should try to learn BJJ/Judo/wrestling etc. or they're still gonna get owned in the next Sino-Thai fight. Especially if China keeps asking for more MMA-style fights.

Nickeroon1987

11/05/2010 10:49pm,

Why are all MT vs (blank) fights never under MT rules? I mean no knees to face, elbows, etc.

Darren WCK

11/06/2010 12:12am,

Why are all MT vs (blank) fights never under MT rules? I mean no knees to face, elbows, etc.

Apart from the "teh elbows are too deadly" reason, I think a possible reason could be that many people would think that fights ending up with cuts and blood are "too violent". So the organizers ban elbows to increase viewers (and profits).

Just a hypothesis.

TheMightyMcClaw

11/06/2010 9:58am,

if they're under K-1 rules, does this mean that the Chinese fighters can no longer spam command throws like they did in the old China/Thai fights? I forgot exactly what the K-1 rules on takedowns are.

Darren WCK

11/06/2010 12:44pm,

if they're under K-1 rules, does this mean that the Chinese fighters can no longer spam command throws like they did in the old China/Thai fights? I forgot exactly what the K-1 rules on takedowns are.

Well according to K-1 site, it states in Article 6: Foul Techniques (http://www.k-1.co.jp/en/what/rules.html) that "Delivering wrestling or judo throwing or submission techniques" are banned. The official site also states that "all throws are strictly banned". At least this makes the fights fair enough.

However, by banning elbows and throws, can this still be considered Muay Thai vs Sanda? :bduh: More like "Guys from China & Thailand fight K-1/MMA style".

Conde Koma

11/06/2010 3:04pm,

Yeah, and didn't K1 ban/gimp clinch knees as well? Surely there can be some kind of unified Sanda/MT ruleset that allows both clinch strikes and throws.

Bahuyuddha

11/06/2010 9:30pm,

Surely there can be some kind of unified Sanda/MT ruleset that allows both clinch strikes and throws.

I hope that ruleset turns out to be MMA. Which would lend even more reason for Thai fighters to start training grappling. Pro Muay Thai fighters would make awesome MMA fighters if they added takedown defense to their game at a minimum, or even better just added some grappling style to their training.

They are catching on though. Fairtex Bang Plee now has a grappling instructor, BJJ brown belt Eric Gerber. And I know of at least one Muay Thai fighter, Rambaa Somdet, who has started competing in MMA. I know these are only isolated examples, but it's a start. China is still way ahead of Thailand in MMA, for sure.

Lindz

11/06/2010 10:01pm,

Yeah, and didn't K1 ban/gimp clinch knees as well? Surely there can be some kind of unified Sanda/MT ruleset that allows both clinch strikes and throws.

How about MT with all the standing grappling/wrestling restrictions removed or pro sanda with unlimited clinch time.

Darren WCK

11/07/2010 6:09am,

How about MT with all the standing grappling/wrestling restrictions removed or pro sanda with unlimited clinch time.

That would be the best "MT vs Sanda" matchup IMO, since it allows the full range of MT and Sanda techniques, while not allowing anything else.

I hope that ruleset turns out to be MMA. Which would lend even more reason for Thai fighters to start training grappling. Pro Muay Thai fighters would make awesome MMA fighters if they added takedown defense to their game at a minimum, or even better just added some grappling style to their training.

It could be a good idea, but such a matchup would no longer be purely "Muay Thai vs Sanda". I mean GnP and triangle chokes aren't part of both arts.